Performer Notes

Tributee: Duke Ellington.
Audio Mixer: Elliot Scheiner.
Liner Note Author: Joe Jackson.
Recording information: Avatar, New York, NY; Crescent Moon, Miami; Westlab, Amsterman.
Photographers: Beowulf Sheehan; Frank Veronsky; William Gottlieb; Maurice Seymour; Ayano Hisa; Rinze Van Bruge; Gloria Tarigo; Seth Glassman.
Arranger: Joe Jackson.
A tribute album, Joe Jackson's The Duke features the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter interpreting classic songs by legendary jazz pianist/bandleader Duke Ellington in Jackson's own unique way. Though a long avowed fan of Ellington, Jackson didn't want his tribute to follow the standard reverent approach, and instead, Jackson filters these timeless compositions through various unexpected rhythms, arrangements, and musical pairings. Besides helming these songs himself, also included are Jackson's duet with punk icon Iggy Pop on "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," a guest appearance by Dap-Kings leader Sharon Jones on "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues/Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me," and even various instrumentals.

Professional Reviews

Billboard (p.48) - "[A] warmhearted tribute to big-band giant Duke Ellington on which Jackson tackles such indelible standards as 'Caravan,' 'Take The A Train' and 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' with help from a varied of assortment of peers..."

Q (Magazine) (p.100) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]hese clean-sounding, jazz-rock arrangements of songs from 1928 to 1963 prove successful experiments..."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.96) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "R&B's Sharon JOnes ups the ante vocal-wise on 'I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues,' while Iggy Pop sparks a vocal group interpretation of 'It Don't Mean A Thing.'"